Vending machine



1963 w. w. CARTER ETAL 3,100,061

VENDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 27, 1960 INVENTOR. wil/iam. W Carter By Charlie E carter 1963 w. w. CARTER ETAL 3,100,061

VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 27, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A INV EN TOR.

a William. W. (av-ter- BY Char/1e E Carter W/M M Flttorney:

Aug. 6, 1963 w. w. CARTER ETAL VENDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 2'7, 1960 INVENTOR- William. W Car-tav- Charlie E arter RH rney;

United States Patent 3,100,061 I VENDKNG MACHINE William W. Carter and Charlie F. Carter, both of Rte. 1, Brundidge, Ala. Filed Dec. 27, 196i), Ser. No. 78,586 9 Claims. (Cl. 221131) This invention relates to a vending machine and more particularly to apparatus for dispensing articles from a vending machine.

An object of our invention is to provide apparatus for dispensing articles from a vending machine which shall be mechanically operated, thereby eliminating the necessity of providing electrical circuits and the like for the operation thereof.

Another object of our invention is to provide apparatus for dispensing articles from a vending machine in which the articles are dispensed from the tops of the individual columns of articles, thereby reducing to a minimum the effort required to separate the article to be dispensed from the remainder of the column thereof.

A further object of our invention is to provide 'a vending machine of the character designated in which the articles to be dispensed may be loaded from the bottom, thereby facilitating loading of the apparatus and providing fresh articles at all times due to the fact that the aticles are dispensed from the tops of the columns there- 0 A still further object of our invention is to provide a vending machine of the character designated which shall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one is compact, thereby reducing to a minimum the space required for the vending machine.

Heretofore in the art to which our invention relates, various forms of vending machines have been devised for dispensing articles, such as cigarettes, candy and the like. However, so far as we are aware, such machines have been complicated in construction and operation and have required a substantial area for displaying the same. Also, such machines :are tall whereby they obstruct the view of articles displayed adjacent thereto. Furthermore, such vending machines often require the articles to be loaded at the same end of the machine at which the articles are dispensed. Accordingly, in order to dispense the articles in the order of their being placed in the machine, the old articles must be removed prior to inserting the new articles and then inserted again after the new articles have been loaded in the machine. Such additional labor required in loading the machine not only adds to the expense of operation of the machine, but often cause the older articles to remain in the machine over long periods of time due to the fact that new articles are continuously inserted and dispensed prior to the dispensing of the older articles.

To overcome these and other dilficulties, we provide a compact vending machine which requires a minimum of space for operation of the machine and one which does not obstruct the view of articles displayed adjacent or back of the vending machine due to the fact that the machine is of a minimum height. Also, in view of the fact that our vending machine continuously dispenses the articles from the tops of the columns, the dispensing apparatus is positioned adjacent the articles being dispensed whereby the dispensing mechanism requires a minimum of linkage and other operating parts for dispensing the articles.

Apparatus embodying features of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the vending machine, partly broken away and in section;

3,100,061 Patented Aug. 6, 1963 FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1, partly broken away;

FIG. 3 is a fragmental view taken generally along line 3'3 of FIG. 1 with parts being omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental sectional view taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view taken generally along line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmental view taken generally along the line 7--7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmental view showing a portion of the reset mechanism for the article engaging members; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmental view showing the means for actuating the latch release members upon inward movement of the selector bar.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of our invention, the vending machine comprises an outer housing 10 having a coin slot 11 therein for inserting coins whereby the vending machine is operated. An elongated receptacle .12 is provided at the front of the machine for dispensing each article in easy reach of the operator. Also, the machine may be provided with the usual coin return receptacle 13 and a receptacle 14 for dispensing matches or the like where the machine is employed for dispensing cigarettes. A coin release knob 16 is provided for releasing coins into the chute 13 in a manner well understood in the art.

Mounted in the housing 10 are vertically extending walls 17, 18, and 19. Mounted on the insides of the walls 17 and 18 are inwardly facing channel members 21 which form guideways for supporting rollers 22. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rollers 22 support an upper carriage indicated generally at 23 which extends from a position adjacent wall 17 to a position adjacent wall 18. The upper carriage 23 is provided with depending, rectangular side members 24 having a centrally disposed rectangular opening 26 therein, as shown. The ends of the rectangular side members 24 are connected adjacent the upper port-ions thereof to transverse angle members 27, \as clearly shown in FIG. 5.

Extending parallel to the channel guide members 21 and secured to the angle members 27 are a pair of lateral- 1y spaced channel members 28 having upstanding legs, as shown in FIG. 5. One channel member 28 is mounted inwardly of the vertical wall 18, as shown in FIG. 5, while the other channel member 28 is mounted inwardly of the vertical wall 17. In view of the fact that the construction and operation of the carriage structure 26 adjacent the vertical wall 17 is identical to the construction and operation of the carriage structure adjacent the wall 18, the structure adjacent wall 17 has been omitted from the drawings and no detail description thereof is deemed necessary.

Mounted on the under surface of each of the laterally spaced channel members 28 by suitable means, such as bolts 29 is a rack 31. Extending transversely through the rectangular opening 26 in the depending side members 24 of the carriage 23 is a shaft 32 having pinions 33 keyed thereto in position to mesh with the racks 31. Keyed to the shaft 32 outwardly of the vertical wall 19 is a pinion 34 which meshes with the teeth 36 of an arcuate member 37 which in turn is pivotally mounted by a suitable pivot pin 38 to the vertical wall 19. Also pivotally mounted on the wall 19 by a pivot pin 39' is a bell crank lever 41 having arms 42 and 43. The arm 42 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 44 to one end of a link 46. The other end of the link 46 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 47 to the arcuate member '37 whereby the arcuate member is moved in response to movement of the bell crank lever 41. The arm 43 of the bell crank lever 41 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 48 to one end of a link 49. The other end of the link 49 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 51 to a pull rod 52. It will thus be seen that upon reciprocation of the pull rod 52, the bell crank lever 41 is moved about the pivot pin 39 whereby the arcuate member 37 and pinion 34 are rotated.

Movement of the pull rod 52 is restricted until the proper coins have been deposited in the slot 11. That is to say, the pull rod is provided with a plurality of notches or recesses 53 therein in position to engage a plurality of latch release members 54, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 61. The latch release member 54 may be a lock-out member which prevents movement of the pull rod 52 until at least one coin has been deposited. The release member 56 is adapted for release upon depositing a 50 piece while the release members 57, 58 59 and 61 are released upon the deposit of the proper number of quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies, respectively. By providing four release members 61 which are released upon the deposit of pennies, our improved apparatus is adapted for use in dispensing articles at any desired price. The desired number of the latch release members 54, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 61 are moved into a position whereby they prevent movement of the pull rod 52 until the proper coins have been deposited in slot 11. Upon deposit of the proper coins, the latch release members are removed from the recesses 53 whereby the pull rod 52 may be reciprocated. The menate member 37 is urged in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3 by a torsion spring 62. One leg of the torsion spring is anchored to the arcuate member 37 while the other leg thereof is anchored to the vertical wall '19. Each of the latch release members is urged in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 9 by a suitable torsion spring 62 which is similar to the spring 62 shown in FIG. 7. Each latch release member is detachably held in an inoperative or counterclockwise position, as viewed in FIG. 9, by a latch member 55 having a slot or opening 55 therein for receiving an upstanding pro- 'jection carried by the latch release member, as shown in FIG. 9. Extending transversely of the vending machine adjacent each of the latch release members is a horizontal actuating arm 55 having a projection 55 at one end thereof which projects through an arcuate slot 55 provided'in the vertical wall 19, as shown in FIG. 9. Each arm 55 is mounted for pivotal movement on a horizontal shaft 60 whereby upon pivotal movement of the actuating arm 55 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 9, the projection 55 engages the end of the latch 55 whereby the latch release member associated therewith is released from the opening 55 thus causing the latch release member to rotate in a clockwise direction due to the force exerted by the torsion spring 62 Secured to the inner surfaces of the vertical walls 17 and 18 beneath the channel guide members 21 are inwardly extending support brackets 63 which extend through the openings 26 in the rectangular side members 24 of the upper carriage 23, as clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Secured to the bracket 63 inwardly of the depending side members 24 are inwardly facing channel guideways 64 which support rollers 66. As shown in FIG. 5, the rollers 66 are mounted at each side of a lower carriage 67 whereby the carriage is adapted for longitudinal movement relative to the guideways 64. The lower carriage 67 comprises channel-like side members 68 con- "nected at their ends to transverse angle members 69. Mounted on the upper surface of the channel-like side members 68 by suitable means, such as bolts 71 are a pair of rack members 72 which are positioned outwardly .of the rack members 31, as shown in FIG. -5. Keyed to the'shaft '32 in position to mesh with the racks 72 are pinions 73. As shown in FIG. 4, upon rotation of the shaft 32 the racks 31 and 72 are moved in opposite directions. That is, when the shaft 32 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the rack 61 carrying the upper carriage 23 is moved toward the left or front of the vending machine while the rack 72 connected to the lower carriage 67 moves toward the right or the rear of the vending machine. On the other hand, upon rotating the shaft 32 in a clockwise direction, the upper carriage 23 is moved toward the rear of the machine while the lower carriage 67 is moved toward the front of the vending machine.

Secured to the depending side members 24 of the upper carriage 23 is a generally U-shaped member 74 which extends the entire width of the upper carriage 23. Extending parallel to the vertical walls 17 and 18 are a plurality of selector bars 76. There is one selector bar for each of the various types of articles to be dispensed from the vending machine. That is to say, where the'apparatns is employed for dispensing cigaretes, each selector bar 76 will represent a particular brand of cigarettes. A plural- :ity of laterally spaced openings 77 are provided in the bottom of the U-shaped member 74, as shown in FIG. 4, for receiving an article engaging member 78. A plurality of depending lugs 79 are provided on the bottom of the U- shaped member 74 for receiving a pivot pin 81 whereby each article engaging member 78 is mounted for independent pivotal movement. Each article engaging member 78 is provided with a lower arm 82 and an upper arm 83. There is an opening 77 and an article engaging member 78 for every other one of the selector bars 76. That is, each article engaging member 78 is positioned beneath alternate ones of the selector bars 76.

Pivotally mounted to a suitable supporting bracket 84 by a pivot pin 86 is a latch member 87 having an opening 88 therein for receiving the upper arm 83 of the article engaging member :78, as shown in FIG. 4. The latch member 87 thus retains the article engaging member 78 in the position shown in FIG. 4 'while the arm 83 is in the opening 88. To release the arm 83 of the article engaging member from the opening 88, we provide an elongated actuating member 89 for each latch. Each actuating member is provide with a laterally projecting member 911 at the lower end thereof disposed to lie :be-

neath the outer end of a latch member 87. Upon lifting each actuating member 89, its associated latch 87 is lifted The upper end of each actuating member 89 is pivotally connected by a pin 92 to one end of a link member 93. The other end of each link member 93 is pivotally con nected by a pivot pin 94 to an upstanding bracket 96 carried by a transverse channel-like member 97 which extends the width of the upper carriage 23 and is secured thereto by suitable means. There is an actuating member 89 for each article engaging member 78 and a recess 98 is provided in every other one of the selector bars 76 for receiving the pivot pin 92 and the adjacent portion of the link 93 whereby upon pushing the selector bar 76 inwardly, the pin '92 moves into the recess 98 \whereby the actuating member 89 is lifted to thereby reelase its associated latch '87. The link 93 is urged in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4, by a suitable torsion spring 99 which is similar to the spring 62 shown in FIG. 7.

Pivotally mounted on each of the selector :bars 76 below and adjacent each of the horizontal actuating arms 55 is an actuating member 55. Each actuating member 55 is mounted on a pivot pin 55 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9. -To set the desired price on the machine for each selector bar 76 whereby the proper latch release members are released for pivotal movement in a clockwise direction into engagement with the slots '53 in the pull rod 52, the desired actuating members '55 are pivoted in a counterclockwise direotion to an upright position whereby they are in position to engage the arm 55 upon inward movement of the selector bar. It will be noted that the first actuating member 55 as viewed from the left in FIG. 4 of the drawing is in an upright position. This actuating member is associated with the actuating arm 55 which releases the latch release member 54. The other actuating members 55 are associated with the latch release members 56, 57, 58, 59, and 61, respectively. Accordingly, it will be seen that upon raising the proper actuating members 55 the proper actuating arm 55' will be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction upon inward movement of the selector bar 76', thereby causing their corresponding latch release members to be released for engagement with the recesses 53. Upon deposit of the proper coins in the slot 111, the latch release members are pivoted in a counterclockwise direction. In view of the fact that the coin actuated means forms no part of the present invention, no detailed description thereof is deemed necessary.

Mounted beneath each of the article engaging members 78 is a vertical column of the articles -1 to be dispensed. The articles 101 are held in vertical alignment by a suitable housing indicated generally at :102. A centrally disposed opening 103 is provided in the top of each of the housings 102, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 for receiving the lower arm 8-2 of the article engaging memiber 78 when the article engaging member 78 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction upon release of the latch member 87. That is, the depending arm 82 is of a weight to cause the article engaging member 78 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction upon release of the upper arm 83 from the latch member 87. However, the article engaging member 78 may be urged in a counterclockwise direction by other suitable means, such as the torsion spring shown in FIG. 7. Upon release of the latch 87, the arm 82 of the article engaging member 78 moves downwardly in position to engage the uppermost article 101 in the vertical column of articles whereby it is moved torward and dispensed into a suitable chute 104 which communicates with the receptacle 12 at the front of the machine. A suitable opening 106 is provided in the forward portion of the housing 102 for dispensing the article 101, as clearly shown in FIG. 4.

In order to adapt our vending machine for dispensing articles from vertical stacks of articles which are disposed one back of the other, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, we provide a second housing 102 for supporting a rearmost column of articles. it will be understood that there will be a plurality of the forward housing members 102 which are aligned transversely of the vending machine beneath every other one of the selector bars 76. The housing members 102 will also be positioned beneath every other one of the selector bars 76. That is, the housings 102 would be positioned beneath the selector bars 76 which are not over the housings 102. Each housing 102 is identical to the housings 102 and the uppermost article 101 is dispensed therefrom by an article engaging member 7 8 which is mounted tor pivotal movement on a depending bracket 79 by a pivot pin 81a. The article engaging member 78 is provided with a depending arm 82 and an upstanding arm 835 which is held in the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 by engaging an opening 88 in a latch member 87 The latch member 87 is released by an actuating member 89 which is provided with a lower lateral member 91 disposed to engage the under sunface of the latch 87 to release the same upon upward movement of the actuating member 89*. The upper end of the actuating member 89* is pivotally connected to an arm 93 by a pivot pin 92. The arm 93 is pivotally mounted to a support bracket .107 by a pivot pin 108. The free end of the arm 93 carries 'a roller 109 which is disposed to engage a recess 1 11 provided in the upper surface of alternate ones of the selector bars 76. It will thus be seen that upon pushing inwardly on the selector bar 76 having the recess 111 therein, the roller 109 falls into the recess whereby the actuating member 39 is lifted to thereby release the latch 87 and the article engaging member 78 whereby the depending arm 82 is in position to engage and dispense the uppermost article 101 from the housing 102*. The article 101 dispensed from the housing 10-2 falls onto a transversely extending conveyor member 112 which is in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 4 as the article is dispensed from the housing 102 Upon return of the lowermost carriage 67 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4, the conveyor 112 moves to the solid line position whereby the article 101 is dispensed forwardly of the housing 102 into the chute 104.

To reset the article engaging members 78 and 78*, as the case may be, whereby they are out of alignment with the uppermost articles 101 in their respective columns, we provided reset means for returning the article engaging members to the position shown in FIG. 4. Mounted on the sides of the upper carriage 23 are upstanding members 113 having an inclined forward surface 1113 which is in position to be engaged by a roller 114 carried by the lower end of an arm 116. The upper end of the arm 116 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 117 to a stationary bracket 118 carried by the housing '10, as shown in FIG. 8. Secured rigidly to the upper end of the arm 116 is an arm which engages the upper end of the actuating member 89 when the arm 115 moves in a clockwise direction.

Pivotally connected intermediate the ends of the arm v116 by a pivot pin 119 is a depending link 121 having an L-shaped lower end 122. Pivotally connected intermediate the ends of the link 121 by a pivot pin 123 is an arm 124 of a bell crank lever 126. The bell crank lever 126 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 127 which extends the width of the carriages. The other arm @128 of the bell crank lever 126 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 129 to one end of a link 131. The other end of the link 131 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 132 to one arm 133 of a bell crank 134. The bell crank 134 is mounted for pivotal movement about a shaft 136 which extends the width of the carriages. An arm is secured rigidly to bell crank 1134 in position to engage a detent carried by actuating member 89 upon clockwise movement of bell crank lever 134. The other arm 137 of the bell crank lever 1134 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 138 to a depending link 139 having an L- shaped lower end 141.

The L-shaped lower ends 141 and 122 of the links 139 and 121, respectively, support rollers 142 which are carried by the lower ends of arms 143. The upper ends of the arms 1143 are mounted for pivotal movement on transverse shafts 144 which extend the length of the carriages 23 and 67. Secured rigidly to the arms 143 are upstanding actuating members v146 which are adapted to engage the upstanding arms 83- 'and 83 of the article engaging members whereby they are returned to the position shown in FIG. 4. That is, upon upward movement of the roller 142, the actuating members 146 move in a clockwise direction to thereby move the upstanding arms 83 or 83 as the case may be, in a clockwise direction thereby return the upstanding arms to the position whereby they enter the recesses 88 or 88 provided in the latch members 7 8 or 7 8 as the case may be.

To lift the roller 42 after the article has been dispensed, we provide forwardly extending members 147 which are pivotally mounted at their upper ends on a transverse shaft 148. Upon forward movement of the rollers 142, they pass beneath the lower free ends of the members 147. After the rollers 142 move to a position forwardly of the members 147, the members 147 return to their original position shown in FIG. 2. Upon rearward movement of the rollers 142, the rollers ride up the inclined upper surfaces of the members .147 whereby the rollers 142 are lifted to thereby rotate the actuating members 146 in a clockwise direction to return the article engaging members to their original or raised position.

To urge the column of articles 101 in an upward direction whereby the uppermost article is always in position to be dispensed by the article engaging members, we provide a movable support 149 which is adapted to engage the lowermost article to be dispensed, as shown in FIG. 2. The support 149 is carried by suitable rollers 151 which engage opposite sides of the housing 102 or 102 as the case may be. The support 149 carries a spring member 152 which is wound about a shaft 153 with the outermost convolution of the spring extending upwardly as at 155 alongside the housing 102 or 102 as the case may be. The upper end of the spring 152 is anchored to the tops of the housings .102 or 102 whereby the support 149 is continuously urged in an upward direction. Preferably, the housing for the spring 152 is provided with teeth as at 154 which are adapted to engage a latch member 156 whereby the support 149 can be held at any desired position for loading the articles 1101 into the housings 102 and 102*. A suitable opening 157 is provided in the lower portion of the forward wall of the housings 102 and 102 for loading the articles 101. The articles are loaded by locking the support 149 in the lowermost position and then lifting the articles already in the housing upwardly and then inserting the new supply of articles between the support 149 and the lowermost articles which were originally positioned in the vending machine.

From the foregoing description, the operation of our improved vending machine will be readily understood. When it is desired to remove an article from the forward columns in the housing 102, the proper selector bar 76 is pressed inwardly whereby the particular article desired will be dispensed. The name of the article selected by each selector bar 76 is indicated on a plate 100 positioned directly opposite the selector bar, as shown in FIG. 1. Upon pressing inwardly on the selector bar 76, the desired latch release members 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 61 are released for engagement with recesses 53 in bar 52 and the recess 98 moves opposite the pin 92 whereby the subjacent actuating member 89 is raised to thereby release its associated latch 87. Upon release of the latch, the article engaging member 78 pivots in a counterclockwise direction whereby the depending arm 82 is in position to engage an article 101 upon forward movement of the upper carriage 23. The proper coins are inserted in the coin slot 11 whereby the latch release members are removed from the recesses 53 in the pull bar 52. The pull bar 52 is then pulled whereby the pinion 33 drives the shaft 32 in a counterclockwise direction to thus move the upper carriage 23 and the article engaging member 78 carried thereby forwardly to thereby dispense the article 101 into the chute 104. As the carriage 23 moves forwardly, the roller 114- rides up the inclined surface 113 to thereby lift the link 121 whereby the bell crank 126 moves in a clockwise direction. Accordingly, 'both of the links 121 and =139-are lifted. As the bell crank 134 moves in a clockwise direction, the reset arm 135 carried thereby engages the detent 140 on the actuating member 89 whereby the actuating member 89 is returned to the lowermost position for receiving the latch 87, as shown in FIG. 4. As the carriage 23 continues to move forwardly, the roller 142 passes beneath the downwardly and forwardly extending member 147 and then passes upwardly along the upper inclined surface thereof to thereby raise the roller i142 and rotate the actuating member 146 in a clockwise direction to thereby reset the article engaging member to its original position which is out of alignment with the uppermost article in the forward stack.

To dispense an article from the rearmost columns contained in the housings 102 the above procedure is repeated with the exception that the proper selector bar 76 which carries a recess 111 is pressed inwardly whereby the roller 109 engages the recess to thereby lift the actuating member 89 to in turn release the latch member 87 Accordingly, upon forward movement of the upper oarriage, the lower arm 82 of the article engaging member 78 engages the uppermost article 101 'in the housing 102 to thereby dispense the same onto the carriage member 112. As the pull rod 52 is pulled, the pinion 73 rotates to thereby move the lower rack 72 in :a rearward direction, as viewed in FIG. 4 whereby the conveyor member 112 is in the dotted line position when the article 101 is removed from its housing. Upon return of the pull rod 52 to its original position by the spring 62, the pinion 73 is rotated in a clockwise direction whereby the upper rack 31 moves toward the right and the lower rack 72 moves toward the left, as viewed in FIG. 4. As the lower rack 72 moves toward the left, the conveyor member 112 moves to the solid line position, thereby [dispensing the article 101 forwardly of the forward housings 102 into the chute 104.

The article engaging member 78 is then returned to its original position whereby it is out of alignment with the uppermost article 101 in the housing 102*. This is accomplished as described hereinabove as the roller 142 passes beneath the downwardly and forwardly inclined member 147 and rides upwardly over the upper surfiacethereof to lift the roller 142 and thereby cause the member to reset the actuating member 89" and cause the actuating member 146 to reset the upper arm 83 of the article engaging member to the position shown in FIG. 4.

From the foregoing it will be seen that we have devised an improved vending machine which is mechanically actuated and one which will dispense an article from a selected one of a plurality of vertical stacks of articles even though some of the vertical columns are in front of other vertical columns. Also, by providing apparatus for dispensing articles from a vending machine whereby the articles are continuously removed from the top of the column, together with improved means for supplying new articles at the bottom of the column, the articles are always dispensed in the order that they are positioned in the machine. Also, by providing actuating members on the individual selector bars which are disposed to actuate selected ones of the latch release members, any desired price from one cent to ninety-nine cents may be set on the machine by merely raising or setting the required actuating members on the selector bars. Furthermore, by providing a compact dispensing unit, our improved vending machine takes up a of space and since it is relatively low in height, it does not obstruct the view of other articles displayed adjacent and to the rear of the machine.

While we 'have shown our invention in but one form, itwill be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and we desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for dispensing articles from a vending machine comprising:

(a) means supporting the articles tobe dispensed in a vertical column and in superimposed relationship to each other,

(12) a reciprocable member adapted for transverse movement above said column of articles,

(0) means to reciprocate said reciprocable member,

(d) a depending support member carried by the reciprooable member,

(e) a contact member mounted for pivotal movement intermediate its ends on said support member with one end of said con-tact member being disposed to move from an upper position out of contact with the uppermost :article in said column to a lower position whereby it contacts said uppermost article in said column upon reciprocation of the reciprocable member,

(f) a latch member disposed to engage the other end of said con-tact member while said one end thereof is in said upper position,

(g) means to release said latch member from said other end of the contact member whereby said one end of the contact member moves to said lower position upon release of said latch member,

(h) means to return said one end of the contact member to said upper position after an article has been dispensed whereby said latch member engages said other end of the contact member, and

(1') control means operatively connected to said contact member and disposed to move said contact member selectively from said upper position to said lower position whereby the uppermost article in said column is dispensed upon transverse movement of said recip rocable member with said contact member in said lower position.

2. Apparatus for dispensing articles from a vending machine as defined in claim 1 in which the means to release said latch member from said other end of the contact member comprises an actuating member detacha-bly connected at one end to said latch member, a movable member adjacent the other end of said actuating member disposed when in one position to engage said actuating member to hold said latch member in engagement with said contact member and when in another position to release said actuating member and said latch member.

*3. Apparatus for dispensing articles from a vending machine comprising:

(a) means supporting the articles to be dispensed in a vertical column and in superimposed relationship to each other,

(b) a reciprocable member adapted for transverse movement above said column of articles,

(c) means to reciprocate said reciprocable member,

(d) a plurality of laterally spaced article engaging members carried by said reciprocable member in position to engage the uppermost article of a plurality of laterally spaced subjacent columns of articles,

(e) each of said article engaging members being adapted for movement selectively from a first position out of contact with the uppermost article in a subjacent column to a second position whereby it contacts said uppermost article in a subjacent column upon reciprocation of said reciprocable member, and

(f) control means operatively connected to each article engaging member disposed to move the article engaging member selectively from said first position to said second position whereby the uppermost article in a subjacent column is dispensed upon transverse movement of said reciprocable member with said article engaging member in said second position.

4. Apparatus for dispensing articles from a vending machine comprising:

(a) means supporting the articles to be dispensed in a vertical column and in superimposed relationship to each other,

(b) a reciprocable member adapted for transverse movement above said column of articles,

() means to reciprocate said reciprocable member,

(d) at least one article engaging member carried by said reciprocable member and adapted for movement selectively from a first position out of contact with the uppermost article in said column to a second position whereby it contacts said uppermost article upon reciprocation of said reciprocable member,

(a) a selector bar for said article engaging member mounted for transverse movement above the subjacent article engaging member, and

(1) means operatively connecting said selector bar to the subjacent article engaging member whereby upon movement of the selector bar in one direction said article engaging member moves from said first position to said second position to thereby dispense the uppermost article from said column upon transverse movement of said reciprocable member with said article engaging member in said second position.

5. Apparatus for dispensing articles from a vending machine comprising:

(a) means supporting the articles to be dispensed in a vertical column and in superimposed relationship to each other,

(b) a reciprocable member adapted for transverse movement above said column of articles,

(0) means to reciprocate said reciprocable member,

(d) at least one article engaging member carried by said reciprocable member and adapted for movement selectively tr-orn a first position out of contact with the uppermost article in said column to a second position whereby it contacts said uppermost article upon reciprocation of said reciprocable member,

(e) control means operatively connected to said article engaging member disposed to move said article engaging member se'l ectively from said first position to said second position whereby the uppermost article in said column is dispensed upon transverse movement of said reciprocable member with said article engaging member in said second position,

(1) an inclined member carried by said reciprocable member,

(g) an actuating member adapted to engage said inclined member upon reciprocation of said reciprocable member, and

(h) means operatively connecting said actuating member to said article engaging member whereby said article engaging member is returned to said first position after an article has been dispensed.

6. Apparatus for dispensing articles from a vending machine comprising:

(a) means supporting the articles to be dispensed in a plurality of vertically aligned columns with adjacent articles in superimposed relationship to each other in each column,

(b) a reciprocable member adapted fior transverse movement above said columns,

(0) means to reciprocate said reciprocable member,

(d) an article engaging member for each of said columns carried by said reciprocable member and adapted for independent movement selectively trom a firs-t position out of contact with the uppermost article in a subjacent column to a second position whereby it contacts said uppermost article upon transverse movement of said reciprocable member,

(e) independent controls means openatively connected to each article engaging member and adapted to move said article engaging member selectively from said first position to said second position whereby the uppermost article in the subjacent column is dispensed upon transverse movement of said reciprocable member wi-th said article engaging member in said second position, and

(f) a plurality of latch release members representing the required coins for dispensing an article operative'ly connected to actuating members which in turn are mounted on individual selector bars whereby predetermined ones of the latch release members are released upon operation of selected onesof said selector bars.

7. Apparatus for dispensing articles from a vending machine :as defined in claim 6 in which each latch release member is operatively connected to an actuating member on each selector bar by a transversely extending arm which is mounted for pivotal movement upon engagement with an actuating member to thereby release said latch release member.

*8. Apparatus for dispensing articles from a vending machine as defined in claim 7 in which the latch release member is urged into engagement with the reciprocable member by spring means.

9. Apparatus for dispensing articles firom a vending machine as defined in claim 7 in which the actuating member is adapted for pivotal movement cfirorn a position 11 out of engagement with said 0 a position 00 engage 831,851 said :amm. 1,123,071 1,247,225 References Cited in the file of this patent 1,334,029 5 2,501,970 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,576,636 337,994 Roggy Mar. 16, 1886 2,976,874

12 Fmin Sept. 25, 1906 Bell Dec. 29, 1914 Cloovas Nov. 20, 1917 Killman 2 Dec. 1, 1931 Sawitzke Mar. 28, 1950 Opgenorth Nov. 27, 1951 Buchholz Mar. 28, 1961 

6. APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING ARTICLES FROM A VENDING MACHINE COMPRISING: (A) MEANS SUPPORTING THE ARTICLES TO BE DISPENSED IN A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY ALIGNED COLUMNS WITH ADJACENT ARTICLES IN SUPERIMPOSED RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER IN EACH COLUMN, (B) A RECIPROCABLE MEMBER ADAPTED FOR TRANSVERSE MOVEMENT ABOVE SAID COLUMNS, (C) MEANS TO RECIPROCATE SAID RECIPROCABLE MEMBER, (D) AN ARTICLE ENGAGING MEMBER FOR EACH OF SAID COLUMNS CARRIED BY SAID RECIPROCABLE MEMBER AND ADAPTED FOR INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT SELECTIVELY FROM A FIRST POSITION OUT OF CONTACT WITH THE UPPERMOST ARTICLE IN A SUBJACENT COLUMN TO A SECOND POSITION WHEREBY IT CONTACTS SAID UPPERMOST ARTICLE UPON TRANSVERSE MOVEMENT OF SAID RECIPROCABLE MEMBER, (E) INDEPENDENT CONTROLS MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED 